Market Pulse
Google reports 28% profit increase boosted by ad sales
A raft of US tech giants reported their first quarter numbers on Thursday, with Google's parent company Alphabet seeing an impressive 28% rise in profits compared with the same period last year.
Kromek flags final results in line with expectations
Radiation detection technology company focusing on the medical, security and nuclear markets Kromek updated the market on its trading for the year ending 30 April on Friday, ahead of its full year results to be issued in July.
UK GDP growth slows to 0.3% in first quarter
The UK economy slowed significantly in the first quarter of 2017 as consumers tightened their belts amid rising inflation, according to preliminary figures from the Office for National Statistics.
Deutsche Bank starts Micro Focus at 'buy'
Deutsche Bank initiated coverage of Micro Focus International at ‘buy’ with a 2,900p price target.
Smooth sailing for Ultra Electronics despite rough seas
Against a backdrop of continuing regional tensions and conflicts, things were continuing to look up for Ultra Electronics, the company told shareholders ahead of its annual general meeting later in the day.
UK consumer confidence worsens again in April - GfK
UK consumer confidence worsened slightly in April due to worries about rising inflation and flat wages.
German retail sales edge past forecasts in March
Retail sales in the euro area's largest economy registered a slight increase last month, led by turnover in the home furnishings, household appliances and builders' ware categories.
Drax surges on Barclays upgrade to 'overweight'
Drax surged on Friday as Barclays upgraded the stock to ‘overweight’ from ‘equalweight’ and lifted the price target to 410p from 400p saying post-results weakness was unjustified.
UK house prices fall again in April, says Nationwide
UK house prices have fallen for the second month in a row, with annual growth slowing to a near four-year low.
DFS Furniture appoints Ian Durant as chairman
DFS Furniture has appointed Ian Durant - the current chairman of bakery chain Greggs - as chairman, taking over from Richard Baker from 2 May.
Ultra Electronics remains confident despite US funding delays
Ultra Electronics said the expected improvement in trading from the new US government continued to be delayed as Federal budgets were negotiated.
Europe open: US tech results weigh on stocks in early trading
European stocks were treading water at the start of the session despite a slightly stronger-than-expected batch of earnings from various US tech heavyweights overnight and amid simmering tensions with North Korea.
London open: Stocks flat ahead of GDP data; RBS, Barclays in focus
London stocks kicked off the final session of the week in a rather muted fashion as investors eyed the release of first-quarter economic growth figures for the UK and the US.
French GDP expands as expected in Q1 despite slump in trade
France's economy slowed a tad at the start of the year as household spending took a breather and amid a big drag from foreign trade.
Old Mutual sells stake in Indian venture, sees record quarter for Wealth
Old Mutual issued a slew of announcements on Friday, including confirmation that it had agreed to sell its 26% stake in Kotak Mahindra Old Mutual Life Insurance to its joint venture partner Kotak Mahindra Bank.
Government cuts Lloyds stake to under 1%
The government has cut its stake in Lloyds Banking Group to under 1%.
Rotork Q1 order intake and revenue rise, reiterates FY expectations
Actuator manufacturer and flow control company Rotork reported a rise in order intake and revenue for the first quarter as it reiterated its expectations for the full year.
London pre-open: Stocks seen muted ahead of GDP figures
London stocks were set for a muted open on Friday as investors eyed the release of first-quarter economic growth figures for the UK and the US.
Friday newspaper round-up: Consumer confidence, energy price caps, HMRC, Barclays
Rising inflation is taking its toll on British households, knocking consumer confidence to its lowest level since the aftermath of last summer’s Brexit vote. Pollsters YouGov said worries about job security and living costs pushed its monthly measure of consumer mood down a further 1. 5 points to 108 in April, the weakest reading since last July. - Guardian.